Atonement by Ian McEwan Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Atonement
Book Review: 'Atonement' is open to anyone's interpretation, and shows Ian McEwan's sound knowledge of writing for any aspiring author
Summary: 5 Stars
Three central character's lives predominatly populate and play out like a live theatre show throughout the pages of 'Atonement' by Ian McEwan. There is young thirteen-year-old Briony Tallis, who, thanks to her false interpretations of two given situations between childhood friend Robbie Turner, and older sister Cecilia Tallis, at the scene of a fountain and a library, must all live with the concequences. 'Atonement' is also a love story in a time of war. This book is full to bursting point of intensely, richly descriptive words, that encourages the reader to participate in the books events. Ian McEwan clearly demonstates his mastery over the written language, and shows prospective authors how limitless and imaginatively descriptive a finished work of fiction can become. A must for anyone with a love of reading and in need of a book that leaves a lasting impression. I heard about the movie with Keira Knightley first, but decided after seeing a preview of the film, and after reading a review of the film that gave nothing away, decided on reading the book first. I'm glad I did. I knew if I didn't the film would prompt me to read the book. I decided on the movie cover to help inspire me to pick up and read the book. Just as I decided to read the 'Pride & Prejudice' book with Keira Knightley on it as well. It all helped the reading process.Book Review: A Classic
Summary: 5 Stars
Ian McEwan's novel 'Atonement' struck a chord in me, I read it in three days during Christmas break. The main theme is the power of words and the pain and guilt that can follow. The author's rich prose reminded me of classic authors like Charlotte Bronte (my fav). I felt like I was in the countryside, London and France with the characters, whose pain was very real. Every sentence is so descriptive and directly related to the story, nothing was extraneous. It was a little slow at the beginning getting into the story, but once the hook came I was instantly addicted. I must admit it was emotional for me and yes I did cry. But it was beautifully written and I can't wait to view the film.
I enjoy watching movies adapted from film as I view them as separate forms of art. You can't put every page of a 351 page novel on screen. The director of Atonement's Pride and Prejudice was one of my favorite adaptations, mainly because I love the 5 hour BBC film, but don't have time for it in my busy lifestyle! ;)
Book Review: A Deeply Meaningful Literary Masterpiece
Summary: 5 Stars
I feel that I cannot do a review of Atonement justice, Ian McEwan's writing is so sublime that any articulation I can give it necessarily misrepresents this superb book. But I must press forward regardless.
Atonement is quite nearly a perfect book to my tastes; tragic, cynical and ultimately profound and deeply meaningful, few other literary masterpieces can match it in capturing me at every level.
Ian's mastery of language comes through in every sentence and only Jane Austin and--perhaps controversially--G.K. Chesterton can match it. It is crisp, varied and sophisticated, yet never is it overly verbose and is always in service of the story.
But the accomplishment of style and composition is by no measure the sole attribute to be praised. Rather, it is the characters so vividly painted, unique but never so exceptional that I stopped believing or caring in them and the unfolding tragedy that sets in at the end of the first act that demands my emotional engagement.
Fair warning, while I will not spoil any specifics but reading further will expose tone and generalities about the book.
I believe what sets Atonement apart from peers is that this is a story about; not quite altruistic, but certainly good natured people with mostly benevolent intentions making mistakes that have dire consequences for each other and the pursuit of Atonement is never fully attainable. We are asked to consider innocence, fancy, self-deception and truth from angles we rarely examine. As the story commences we loath Briony's actions while simultaneously sympathizing and admiring her imagination and integrity, just as we feel her sadness as she comes to terms with her crime.
In the end, I believe that Atonement does what few other stories do, it does not opt for the ease of a happy ending, but neither does it leave us with bleak despair. This is not a story of forgiveness; a crime has been committed that cannot be forgotten and while Briony seeks--and finds--a measure of atonement it is not cheap, nor is it complete. No, a fairy tale ending is not to be found, it is rather, torn away from us and in this it managed to penetrate my cynicism affect me profoundly.
While I would leave you with that I do want to add one final note that should not be read if you are not already familiar with the story. Having seen the recent film I was afraid that knowing the end would make the book less evocative for me and I am quite happy to say that while the ending did not leave me stunned on my second experience it was no less meaningful. If you too have also only seen the film then I assure you reading the book will enrich your appreciation even further.
Book Review: A Must Read before you see the Movie
Summary: 5 Stars
A must read before you see the movie. McEwan narrates his most unforgettable and moving story in Atonement.Book Review: A NOVEL ABOUT A NOVELIST
Summary: 5 Stars
This book evoked layers of response from me. Appropriately so, since it is a novel operating on a number of levels, some of them not apparent until the very end. "Atonement" reflects life itself in all its complexity and seeming contradictions, as a great novel should.
Firstly, it is a novel about a novelist, Briony, and the way she
matures at a critical time in her life. This permits the reader to see how Mc Ewan links an author's psychological and spiritual growth with the process of creating literature.
Mc Ewan uses the device of a publishers' thoughtful rejection letter to take a polite swipe at favorite authors such as Woolf and Joyce. The publisher suggests that exquisite renderings of either stream of consciousness or the external world do not suffice to make a great novel . In order to give the novel "back bone" and to fully engage the reader, the author needs to provide a plot.
What the letter doesn't mention, and is left for Mc Ewan to demonstrate and the reader to notice, is that plot development serves as a vehicle for character development. The attendant events of our lives shape us and we shape our lives. This interactional balance underlies human reality and great novels reflect it. In that way they differ from short stories, fairy tales, or simple narratives.
Secondly, Mc Ewan uses an important psychological revelation that Briony experiences as a means of structuring the novel. That revelation is that we all think ourselves unique, and all have our own particular take on any interpersonal situation. This multi-subjective aspect of reality is incorporated by Mc Ewan through his having us see the world sequentially through the lens of each of the three major characters.
The challenge then facing the author, and indeed all of us, is that given the universal illusion of individual hyper-importance, how do we grow beyond that perspective and arrive at one that both encompasses and transcends our individuality.
Thirdly, in the Dunkirk sequence of the novel, we are thrown into
a modern version of the Greek myths of War and the Hero's Journey.
Like Ulysses, Robin is determined to return home from the war to Cecilia, his Penelope. He shows persistence, learns to value his comrades, and exhibits courage. All these heroic traits help him survive the ordeal. But mortals are subject to the whims of the Gods.
Thus chance is also woven into the narrative, as it is in all our lives.
Robin is spared, while a mother and son he tries to save from death are not, for no apparent reason. That integral part of our existence, the dance between will and chance, is nowhere more apparent than in this section of the book.
Finally, in the very last section of the book, wherein the author Briony speaks directly to us, the readers, McEwan presents the archetypal author as a kind of God who arbitrarily fabricates and destroys vivid characters.. Some of them possess a kind of immortality. Anna Karenina; Raskolnikov; Orlando; are a few that come to mind.
Who then is more lasting and in some way realer, the fictional person or the reader?
I found "Atonement" not only an engaging "hard-to-put-down" read,
but also a book offering profound insights into what it takes to be an outstanding novelist. I highly recommend it for all those who like an exciting story and are interested in how literature is created.